Cakes? Learning?

Once upon a summer you embark upon a magical adventure that allows you to meet new people and explore new places.... well that wasn't my summer, however I did encounter and develop a relationship with one of our local homeschoolers. She is an Aggie (gotta love her because I'm married to one too!) and she loves Math, cakes, and children! I met her while attending PE classes and her little three would come bounding out of class full of laughter, crying, and talking. What caught my eye to begin with was she reminded me of me! I had three little ones all in a row just like her. I remember the days of all three in a car seat and diapers all at the same time. I remember trying to make sure I had all three in tow wherever I ventured! It was an interesting time and so therefore my compassion toward this mom drew me in! She is sweet, energetic and loves her kids. Her husband is a public educator and she has chosen to stay at home and homeschool (with his hearty approval!). Toward the end of the school year I had chosen our special learning project for the summer, Word Problems! I'm not strong in these and neither were my two daughters. My son was doing well, but all of us could use some tweaking on our skills and so I hired her to tutor us in helping us develop a strategy in doing these word problems. She is great and we have accomplished the goal! Not only does she love math, she loves cakes too and promised the kids that they would create a cake at the end of our summer together. She and I didn't forget, but our schedules just weren't in sync with one other till one day my young dd asked if Mrs. Laurie was going to help them make cakes! I assured her that she would. Little did I know that in the next lesson of Zech and Isabella's History/Geography/Bible curriculum they suggested they make a round cake and draw the continents on them. Also Sarah's curriculum suggested the same for her Egypt study but obviously with an Egypt theme. I contacted her and we set up a time and they had a blast!

Well I can't say more than the pictures above because they did awesome and Laurie did excellent! The blue icing are the oceans, green for the continents, white for the artics, starburst w/ white icing to represent the north pole, and mountains were mini reeses peanut butter cups and candy corn! Egypt sand is crushed graham crackers and the pyramids are starburst cut and built. Way to go Laurie, thanks so very much for sharing your gifts and talents with this family and many more that you've impacted in the Homeschooling community along the way! However one thing to warn you, I'm still eating cake and there is still A LOT more left!

"Gammers" Beware! Coming to a Theater near You!

Rock Bank Groupies (Isabella/lead singer, Sarah guitar, Zech drummer)

Super Smash Brothers

Another Rock Band pic!

We trekked across our side of the state about 45 minutes away to create a very "un" educational field trip! The Youth of our homeschool group were given the privilege of setting up two different gaming options on the Big Screen of a movie theatre! Wow, was that ever exhilarating! We had a blast! The youth chose the Wii and Playstation 2 with the games of Mario Kart, Super Smash brothers, Call of Duty (World of War, light version), and Rock Band 2! Unfortunately that day it was scheduled for several of our youth to travel for a Theatre Play they were performing, so attendance was low. We were given a tour of the movie theatre and how the put the film in and the controls and such. They even opened the concessions for us and popcorn, coke, and candy was abounding! The owners allowed us to play games for 4 solid hours! Woohoo! Moms lounged in the back speculating on the winners and losers and homeschooling in general. We all had an awesome "non" educational time! Sometimes we do things just for fun!

14 YEARS!

She really is taller than I, but the pic doesn't show that!

Sarah's best of friends!

She received two gift cards among other things for her birthday!

How in the world did I get here? Wait, don't answer that! Yes, I know HOW I am here, but how? How did time fly so fast that my oldest daughter is now 14!!! To put things in perspective she will be a student driver in just one year. Please forgive the ponderings below as I briefly tell of her life and how special she is to me!

Happy Birthday my sweet Sarah,Oh the heart that God has given you,

Too sweet for the world I fear,too bold to keep you near.

I must allow your wings to fly, oh how I fight the urge within

to keep you ever here, and yet see you persevere.

You are beautiful inside and out, too wonderful for words to say,

how much joy you have given to Dad and I, Zech and Isabella!

Sarah, my oldest is beautiful, wonderful, stubborn, a quick speaker, and struggles listening. She is smart and funny, she is intuitive and observant! She is my oldest and therefore I want only the best for her and the best for herself! She loves people, struggles with sin, loves God more everyday and the beauty of her inside is matchless in this mother's eyes.

I wonder what she will be? I wonder what boy she will meet? Will she struggle? Will she follow? Will she lead? Will she always be protected or will she be hurt? If so, will I be here to help her and comfort her? Oh the questions and the ponderings of a mother's heart and the struggle within to keep control and yet let them leave on their own. Knowing that God is in control of everything and that He has a plan for her is the stabling balance that keeps me sane.

Sarah, I love you beyond words! You are my firstborn and I will always struggle to make you perfect. Although none of us can be, in my eyes, you are perfect to me because you are mine! I still can't believe God has allowed me to be your mother. How I treasure our times and moments together, knowing that one day like Cinderella, you will marry your prince and move on to your home to have your very own special children. Happy Birthday!

Exercising????

Many of you have commented and have been curious as to my outcome of all the exercises I began back in April. I shredded during that time and now I'm successfully still shredding away any unwanted calories and keeping my heart healthy. I purchased two more of Jillian Micheal's videos and 6 days a week watch her tell me over and over again to keep strong, that I can do this, and more about jean shopping and bathing suit shopping! However I've gotten bored! I run about 2 miles about 2 days a week to break up the monotony and I scatter the videos over the days so that they are different. I will accomplish 2 shreds in one day or an entire 55 min. video. I am venturing into buying new videos just to keep me going. Even so, I'm about the same at the end of the 30 day shred. Although lots of results from that, I'm toned everywhere but my belly and no matter how many crunches, bicycles, and other things I do that is hard to describe despite being hard to do it just doesn't want to tone anymore. I'm sad on this point, but I won't give up! I realize the importance this is to my family to stay healthy whether my belly will ever shape up or not! So in answer to the many questions, yes I've continued and will continue. Thanks for all of you who were concerned!

HEAT Robotics have begun

HEAT is an acronym for Home Educators Around Texoma. However the robotics team is usually been known for their acronym of MARS which stood for Maniacs Attempting Robot Science. As much as we loved being the MARS team we discovered that we were confusing our competitors and the judges, so we are now the HEAT robotics team. And they have begun....


Off to the races we go and for the prize we compete as we try and fulfill this years robotic challenge. We are still in the dark to what our challenge may be but they have given us a little teaser and some highly valuable information. Our teaser video shows oil wells, lightening, car parts, and the words High Octane are used over and over. We can only guess at this point and therefore most of us are pondering Cars??? Not sure, but September 12th is the official kick off day and be assured I will let you in on the secret. We were also told that our spotters will be very valuable on the field giving us another hint that our drivers will likely not be able to see where they are driving.

With all this information we are assimilating, the Heat Robot club has begun once again. We've had two meetings thus far. One to just inform what is happening and the other one to introduce TEAM mentality! They work as a team for one another, not against one another. It is a great opportunity for any school aged child to learn what it means to be on a team. One aspect we have changed is that this year we are forming a company. Our company has many job opportunities. For example there is drivers, spotters, builders, website upkeep (we will also be on facebook this year), media, morale leaders, photography and video, marketing and oral presentations. This last meeting we had professionals come in and teach them what a resume is, what it looks like, and how they are to market themselves for a particular job. Yes, everyone has to come up with their own resume and apply for the position/s they are wanting! How cool is that? Robot Club, Inc. is on their way to forming their company, performing their jobs, manufacturing their robot, and marketing its abilities.

Come along on the journey with us? We will have a blast, but hold on tight because remember it is High Octane!

School has Sprung!

Well . . . It is school time in the Roberson household once again. Roberson Academy officially opened on August 3rd, with its first high school student, Sarah Roberson, 9th grade, a junior high student, Zech Roberson, 7th grade, and elementary student, Isabella Roberson, 5th grade. Whew, I'm already tired. Sarah started her first year in high school with flying colors. She needed to accomplish the first week of English Lit, Bible, Ancient History, Algebra II, and PE. This week we added in Robotics, Honors Biology and our first lab! September will add in volleyball, a high school writing class, and Logic. Sarah will be studying all throughout the year current events and college preparatory test for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. She never stopped Piano through the summer, but moving up to a higher skill by adding competitions and she is playing for the youth group on Sunday's during their worship time. She will have a very tough year, but for now it is mainly review and getting her back in the school mindology!

Zech started the first week out with Pre-Algebra, General Science (He had started both of these courses last spring and now finishing them out) and PE. This week we added in English, writing course, History/Geography (he is studying extensively the countries and cultures of the world), Bible, and Robotics. September will bring for him enrichment activities (not sure what they entail yet), golf, Spelling & Vocabulary. He will also move up into our local youth group at our church. Because he started some of his 7th grade classes in 6th grade, he will move up to Algebra and Physical Science sometime next spring as well. He is always ahead in the class!

Isabella had an easy first week because she was gone to camp the first three days and then just had to do 5th grade math that Thursday and Friday along with PE! This week however we added in English, Biology (Christian Kids Explore Biology), Robotics (she will still be a junior member), and History/Geography (doing some of what Zech is learning, just not as extensively). September will add for Spelling, Excellence in Writing course, other enrichment activities, and more. She is moving up into the upper elementary classes at our church and truly excited!

School has truly begun and I'm learning as usual. Remembering biology, reactivating the mind on Algebra, reviewing the English and spelling rules, and diving into history! I'm excited and nervous about this year. Keeping track of High school and making sure Sarah gets all the credits she needs at the end and what will transfer and not to college is new for us. Even so, at the end of this year she should have 7 to 8 credits of high school and 1 in college already. She is proving to be a very well rounded young lady with great Writing abilities. Her goal at this point is to be an author. Zech will have a challenging year too of learning upper level math and science skills. Isabella will be challenging to step up to upper elementary!

Our days are long and extra activities are starting. Robotics starts its full schedule of its intense six weeks on September 12th. We are already meeting and gaining perspective on last year and this years challenges and what needs to happen. Honors biology has already proved to be vigorous work, but Sarah enjoyed looking through the microscopes at hair follicles, inside cheek cells, and salt crystals. She is still talking about her findings today.

We will take some breaks in August for Sarah's 14th Birthday and catch our breath shortly for what proves to be a very long, ambitious, intriguing ninth year of homeschooling. Join us on our journey!

Most Memorable!

Out of all the views of Colorado the face behind me was the most memorable. Some of you know Erin and know exactly what I'm talking about. Some of you don't know Erin, so I will explain. Erin is such a delightful, young woman of the Lord! She has a smile on her face in the darkest deepest times. Her demeanor about her is always calm. When I first met this lady she was in a homeschooling meeting in Oklahoma. She was dressed very nice and when she told me she had four boys, I was shocked to say the least! Nobody as calm as she is can have four boys can they? Well apparently so and she has added one more to the pile, little Josiah, peeking his head out from behind her. Erin's husband struggled quite a bit in Oklahoma with his allergies. Due to the fact they did not display themselves in a fairly normal way, sneezing, coughing, or itching, but through his ears and vertigo. He had true vertigo that would last for days and weeks on end. I'm not sure the whole time they were in Oklahoma that he had not even a week free from those horrible spells. Therefore his time with family, job, and church were always extremely limited. Through it all, Erin amazed me! Now before you think she is superwoman, she is not. She completely acknowledged her struggles to many of us that surrounded this woman and held her up with prayer and our very own arms sometimes. But the woman had a JOY that cannot be explained unless you were there with her! This JOY was not happiness but an inner confidence that God was holding her up and having a plan for her. This plan was to prosper her and for her to glorify the LORD! And she did! Glorify the Lord in midst of some very trying times she continued to raise her head to Him. She struggled just like each of us, but her outward and inward stance of JOY was truly so warming to watch. Because of her husbands health problems they moved to an area of Colorado that his vertigo actually went away. However now she is starting all over again. Insecurities, struggles, learning to live where the Lord wants her, a new church, new homeschool group, new friends, and so much more.

So out of all that I had come to Colorado to watch, take in, and see, I saw a beautiful, most joyful woman in the midst of a very real struggle. That is the most memorable picture I come away from this vacation with. She isn't superwoman, nor trying, but she is walking side by side with God holding her in His absolutely amazing arms of His and letting Him lead her. Thanks Erin for allowing this friend to see you as real as you are and still walk away amazed! Love you my friend!